HC Deb 20 February 1986 vol 92 cc313-4W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many Republic of Ireland residents have trained in medicine, nursing and midwifery in England and Wales in the past five years for which figures are available; and what has been the estimated cost to public funds.

Mr. Hayhoe

Precise figures for medicine are not available, but it is estimated that fewer than 10 students whose normal domicile is in the Republic of Ireland are studying at medical schools in England and Wales at any one time. No information is held centrally on the number of residents of the Republic of Ireland undertaking training in nursing and midwifery in England and Wales.

The estimated unit cost to public funds of medical undergraduate training, excluding the possible costs to Local Education Authorities which will depend on individual circumstances, is £120,000 at current prices; the estimated cost of training a registered general nurse is £11,000; and the additional cost of the midwifery course is £8,000.